John Montefusco

John Montefusco
Pitcher
Born: (1950-05-25) May 25, 1950 Long Branch, New Jersey
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 3, 1974, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
May 1, 1986, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	90–83
Earned run average	3.54
Strikeouts	1,081
Teams
San Francisco Giants (1974–1980) Atlanta Braves (1981) San Diego Padres (1982–1983) New York Yankees (1983–1986)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star (1976) NL Rookie of the Year (1975) Pitched a no-hitter September 29, 1976

John Joseph Montefusco Jr. (born May 25, 1950) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1974 to 1986 for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. Named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1975, Montefusco's nickname was "The Count", a pun on his last name which sounds like Monte Cristo. In his 13-year career, his record was 90-83, with 1,081 strikeouts, and a 3.54 ERA. He was a National League All-Star in 1976, winning a career high 16 games that year.

Before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 4, 1975, Montefusco guaranteed he would win the game. He proceeded to throw a shutout as the Giants defeated the Dodgers 1–0.

On September 29, 1976, Montefusco threw a no-hitter for the Giants in a 9-0 victory versus the Atlanta Braves. It was the last no-hitter to be thrown by a Giant until Jonathan Sanchez threw one on July 10, 2009. [1] He also is one of only a handful of pitchers to hit a home run in his first at bat (September 3, 1974).

Montefusco is one of two players to hit a home run in his first at bat and win the Rookie of the Year Award. The other is Wally Moon.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball no-hitters

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs

Preceded by John Candelaria

No-hitter pitcher September 29, 1976

Succeeded by Jim Colborn